Avalanche forecast

Snake River Range

Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

It will be possible to trigger avalanches 1-2 feet deep in steep upper elevation terrain today. Triggering will become more likely as new snow and wind build slabs throughout the day. Avalanches involving the new snow have the potential to step down to weak layers deeper in the snowpack, producing much larger and more destructive avalanches. Careful evaluation of the terrain and a changing snowpack will be critical in avoiding avalanches today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    New snow amounts over the past 2 days have been in the 8-10” range. Moderate west and southwest winds have helped to build slabs in the 1-2 foot range in steep wind loaded starting zones. These slabs will be sensitive to the weight of a person with an additional 4-6” of snow expected today. Watch for obvious signs of instability, such as avalanches, shooting cracks and collapsing. Avoid areas with signs of wind loading, as this will be the most likely type of terrain in which to trigger avalanches today.

    (1/4/2026)

    Watch for signs of instability such as shooting cracks like this. Dial back terrain choices when these signs are present.

    Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–2.5

    A variety of weak layers combined with crusts exist within the middle and lower part of the snowpack. These interfaces hold the potential for large to very large avalanches releasing today. While on the lower end of the scale of likelihood, they cannot be ruled out. Avalanches falling anywhere from 2-6 feet deep could be released under the weight of an avalanche occurring within the new snow or from large triggers such as groups and snowmobiles.

    (1/1/2026)

    Hard slab remotely triggered by snowcat after terrain hit by large explosives in closed terrain at JHMR on Jan 1st.

Avalanche Discussion

Today the most likely avalanche to trigger will be within the most recent storm snow. By the end of today, 3 day storm totals could be in the 16”snow/1.6” SWE range. This additional accumulation combined with wind will redistribute snow into slabs 1-2 feet thick on leeward aspects in the upper elevations. 

Moving down through the snowpack are several layers that are concerning but not an imminent threat. A crust that formed around Christmas sits roughly 2 feet down and can be found up to 10,000 feet  in elevation. Weak snow has been detected above this crust. Test results and recent avalanches indicate that this interface holds potential to produce larger avalanches. This combination does not exist everywhere, but is in enough locations to warrant concern and respect. With the increasing likelihood of new snow avalanches releasing, this interface could come into play as a legitimate layer of concern today.

Weak snow and crusts can also be found closer to the ground.  These layers are generally too deep to be affected by a single person or machine. However, an outside chance remains that a large group impacting a thin spot or an avalanche involving the new snow could be enough to produce very large avalanches today. 

Regions covered